Chicago City Wire

CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program. Through this RFP, the City will select one organization to serve as the administrator of the $21.5 million program. The chosen administrator will collaborate with the City and BACP to provide grants to small businesses and nonprofits in Chicago, aiming to stabilize their operations, support their workforce, and mitigate the long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Small businesses and nonprofits are the backbone of Chicago, weaving the fabric of our neighborhoods, driving our economy forward, and providing vital resources to our communities,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This Request for Proposal will secure an administrator for the Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program which will assist in providing grants to businesses and nonprofits. The grants that will serve as a lifeline, helping to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic and emerge stronger than ever before.”

“The City of Chicago and BACP remain committed to providing post-pandemic support to small businesses and nonprofits,” said BACP Acting Commissioner Ivan Capifali. “The Small Business and Not-For-Profit Support Grant Program will alleviate the financial burden incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing businesses and nonprofits to rebuild and thrive once more. Through the Request for Proposal process, the selected organization will manage this vital program for our small business and nonprofit community.”

Requests for Proposal submissions must be completed by Friday, September 6, 2024, at 12:00 PM CDT (NOON). Those interested in learning more about this RFP can register for a pre-submittal conference on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at 1:30 PM CDT. While optional, participation in this conference is highly encouraged.

For information about this RFP and pre-submittal conference details, visit Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan. To view this RFP directly, visit the City’s eProcurement website using RFP #10385.

This initiative is funded by Mayor Johnson’s Road to Recovery Plan using $21.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF). Further details on BACP’s Recovery Plan efforts can be found at Chicago.gov/BACPRecoveryPlan.

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